MANILA, Philippines ? In ?Edge of Darkness? and ?Everybody?s Fine,? Mel Gibson and Robert De Niro portray veteran cop, Thomas Craven, and retired wire-factory worker, Frank Goode, respectively?fathers who are motivated by misfortune to ?reconnect? with their ?estranged? kids. In vulnerable moments of compromised lucidity, Tom and Frank imagine themselves talking to their children as young, impressionable kids who hero-worship them. But, time flies?and everybody grows up:

Road trip

In director Kirk Jones? three-hanky drama, ?Everybody?s Fine? (showing next week), grief and loneliness drive De Niro?s character, Frank, to embark on an impromptu road trip eight months after his wife?s death. He decides to visit his four grownup children all over the US after they tell him they can?t attend the family reunion at the last minute.

The hard-pushing, emotionally distant father belatedly realizes that his only connection to his children (Sam Rockwell, Kate Beckinsale, Drew Barrymore, Austin Lysy) was his wife?and he wants to change that before it?s too late. They don?t hate him, they?re just not comfortable around him?and it shows on their faces when he shows up on their doorstep unannounced.

Feel-good moments

If you want a good cry, this movie?s for you. Jones? well-intentioned weeper?a remake of Giuseppe Tornatore?s 1990 melodrama?boasts of a number of cathartic, feel-good moments. However, they are sometimes too sappy for their own good. The film sinks due to its dramatic excesses, but it is buoyed up by the Oscar-worthy portrayal of De Niro, who uses wisdom and restraint to rein in his character?s pent-up emotions. For Frank, it?s never too late to reach out and say you?re sorry.

In Martin Campbell?s riveting conspiracy thriller, ?Edge of Darkness,? Gibson plays the doting father of 24-year-old Emma (Bojana Novakovic), who suddenly comes home for a visit. In doesn?t take long for Thomas to realize that his daughter?s in big trouble, especially after she begins throwing up and getting nosebleeds.

Then, as they leave for the hospital, a masked gunman shouts, ?Craven,? shoots at them and hits Emma, who dies in her father?s arms. Was the assassin aiming for the veteran police detective, or for his daughter?

Emma, it turns out, has been keeping a dark secret. With the help of Jedburgh (Ray Winstone, who, ironically, took over from Robert De Niro, who walked out of the film due to creative differences), a mysterious ?consultant? initially tasked by Emma?s company to prevent Thomas from getting his hands on her evidence, Thomas follows blood-stained tracks that finally reveal why she was killed.

Last screen outing

It?s been seven years since Gibson?s last screen outing (in a heavily camouflaged cameo in ?The Singing Detective?), but his charisma and natural acting chops are as potent as ever. The film employs the familiar vengeful-father storyline to demonstrate that the actor still has a firm grasp on his thespic skills and action-hero footing. Moreover, you can always rely on the actor to deliver an entertaining and heart-pounding action romp.

Gibson should thank his lucky stars that his unique artistic gifts are strong enough to overshadow his unfortunate public outbursts and meltdowns. Yes, his troubles may have dented his box-office clout and Hollywood cachet, but you can never put a good talent down?at least, not for long.